Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Anthony Hylton (centre) greets departing Canadian High Commissioner Claudio Valle and his wife Louise at their farewell dinner held at Seaview Avenue, on Friday, September 1. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

The next time Jamaicans celebrate Canada Day, the familiar faces of Claudio and Louise Valle will not be the ones to greet them.

The posting of High Commissioner Claudio Valle and Mrs. Valle has come to an end and there are a few tears for certain among the friends they made here. The frequent members of the Jamaican social scene, the diplomatic and consular corps have all embraced the Valles as honorary citizens of the island.

They complemented each other well. High Commissioner Valle, the true diplomat, open yet reserved for the most part, and Mrs. Valle (Louise to friends), the ever-bubbly personality who always seemed to have that huge smile on her face.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Unlike many of their diplomatic colleagues, the Valles were well acquainted with this lovely isle long before their stint as their country's first citizens.

Mrs. Valle was the first one here as she was a member of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), to help with the post-Hurricane Gilbert relief effort. Her history was in the correctional services and after the high commissioner's posting in Brussels, she intended to return there. There were no vacancies at the time, except in CIDA so she joined up.

Former High Commissioner John Robinson (Valle's predecessor), was vice-president of CIDA's Americas division and recommended she take the opportunity.

She was immediately drawn to the strength and character of the Jamaican people - helping each other out in desperate times.

"Naturally, you will be attracted to the physical beauty of the island but the beauty of the people made all the difference," she explained.

HARD-WORKING DIPLOMATS

The high commissioner formerly served as economic counsellor and acted as high commissioner before Robinson assumed the post.

"This island is in my blood now. I learned to enjoy it very much. I love the wonderful talents of the Jamaican people," he said.

Since 2004, the Valles have influenced many aspects of Jamaican life.

Whether it was the high commissioner's meetings with members of the diaspora or Mrs. Valle's involvement in the justice sector review currently taking place, they have rarely been idle during their posting.

When asked about his successes here, the high commissioner points to the emergency aid after the hurricanes to hit the island, his country's assistance with the Haitian refugee dilemma and the rebuilding of schools in various areas.

Mrs. Valle has her own little scrapbook to look back on as well. The foundations for the justice review and the Justice Undertaking for Social Transformation (J.U.S.T) which will implement the recommendations of the review have been firmly established.

The community service centres which will help the poor to fully understand the services available to them will also be constructed in years to come.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The two are heading back to Canada, as both of them are retiring from active duty - he partly because of ill-health (and the fact that he's given 35 years of service to his country) and she, because after devoting approximately 15 years of her life to Jamaica and the region, she doesn't think anything can top this.

"I want to leave feeling on a high. (But) I am sure there will be opportunities to continue to contribute and should Jamaica need me, I'll answer the call," she says.

High Commissioner Valle also assured us that Jamaica will remain firmly in their hearts.

"I can't promise definitely that I will be back but I have a strong feeling. Canadian winters tend to kick you out," he joked at a recent gathering.

The couple plans to do a little travelling including to Italy, the high commissioner's birthplace.

Wherever they go, one gets the impression they won't be lonely - good people never are.